Manic Monday: Life With Five Dogs and a Grooming Business

The alarm is set for 7am, but honestly, it’s more of a hopeful gesture than a necessity. Fleck — our early‑rising ex‑farm dog — decides when the day begins. After two years on a working farm, he still believes dawn is a perfectly reasonable breakfast time. We’ve at least convinced him that 5am is not breakfast time, but he still insists on announcing the morning long before my alarm ever gets a chance.

It’s usually John who braves the first descent downstairs, either voluntarily or with a gentle nudge from my foot and a groan from me. His predictable “My head…” is the soundtrack to my chronic daily headaches and frequent migraines — a delightful combination when you also live with five dogs. Still, he returns with a hot mug of tea after feeding and letting them out, giving me a few precious minutes to ease into the day.

Feeding the Menagerie

Once I’m up, the dogs potter around the garden while I eat breakfast. Then it’s on to the rest of our little zoo: birds, tortoises, sweeping up dog hair, refreshing water bowls, and checking emails before the first big outing of the day — the walk.

John takes Fleck to check our small flock of sheep, a daily ritual. Sometimes Cora joins him, but today it’s Fleck’s turn. He also collects a few client dogs for their morning exercise. I have parcels to post, so I combine errands with a trip to a nearby SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace). It’s perfect for exercising a group of dogs: wide open fields and a safe, gated car park.

The Van Chaos Symphony

I’ve spent time teaching each dog to exit the van politely. Individually, they’re brilliant. Together? A different story.

The moment I open the van door, Holly shrieks as if she’s been imprisoned for weeks. This sets off Kaytee and Jill in a deafening chorus, while Cora — bless her — remains quiet, though her daughter Kaytee more than compensates. I’ve tried to train this out, but with multiple dogs you learn to pick your battles. Waiting for calm would mean missing the walk entirely, so we simply get on with it.

The Herding Game

Once we negotiate the gate into the fields, the fun begins. With a pack of collies and Holly the terrier, the best way to exercise them is to drop a ball for Holly — who instantly transforms into a “sheep.” Jill crouches in her classic sheepdog pose, eyes locked on Holly. Cora and Kaytee circle in formation, with Kaytee running the widest perimeter to keep her “sheep” collected. Holly, ever the uncooperative sheep, darts and dodges with great enthusiasm.

We continue this game around the fields, and I make sure to stay involved — recalling each dog individually or whistling them all back for a quick “down” before releasing them again.

Jill, Cora & Kaytee with their "sheep" Holly

Back Home and Into Work Mode

Tired dogs are loaded back into the van, and after posting parcels and grabbing essentials, we head home. Calm van exits are practised before going indoors — and when arousal is low, they’re perfect. Little training moments like these really add up.

Inside, the dogs settle in their resting areas with a cow hoof to chew, which helps them relax and supports their oral health. With everyone content, I can switch into groomer mode.

Grooming, Barking, and Everything In Between

My home-grooming salon is ready for business. The dogs stay settled, aside from the occasional burst of alert barking when a client arrives. Once the first groom is complete and the dog is collected, I let my own dogs out, tackle the never‑ending laundry, and restock towels.

Cora and Kaytee accompany me back to the grooming room, leaping onto the table in hopes of a treat. Sometimes they get a nail trim or a brush, but today it’s just a quick health check and a reward before they head back inside.

The next client arrives, and I work undisturbed until a courier triggers another round of barking. Parcel collected, dogs settled, grooming finished.

With 45 minutes before my final client, I let the dogs out again and enjoy a banana followed by a mince pie (yes, it’s January — no regrets). We practise a five‑minute settle exercise, which gives them a calming moment and gives me a chance to finish my tea without being climbed on by dogs who have no concept of personal space.

Evening Routine

By the end of the workday, the dogs are restless and hungry. Darkness always makes them more reactive to visitors, and raw feeding means dinner prep is a bit of a production. Jill, who has the least impulse control, must sit‑stay on a mat until all dishes are ready — otherwise her excitement escalates into a full‑blown chorus.

They’re fed in the same place and order each day to prevent any resource guarding. Kaytee skips dinner for now because we’re off to agility training.

Training goes brilliantly. Kaytee thrives on the mental stimulation and the partnership we’re building.

She eats her dinner when we get home — rapidly, even from a slow feeder — and then John and I finally sit down to our own meal, usually a reheated version of Sunday dinner.

Winding Down

By 10pm, the dogs go out one last time and enjoy a small bedtime snack before settling down for the night. Another manic Monday comes to a close — chaotic, exhausting, and full of the unique joy that comes with living alongside five dogs.

Reflection

Life with five dogs and a grooming business is never dull. There are challenges, of course, but the rewards — loyalty, laughter, and love — make every manic Monday worthwhile. How do your pets shape your week? Share your stories in the comments; I’d love to hear them.